Written by So I decided to break away from bugs and actually attempt to doodlewash a bug-free flower for the first time on this journey. Passing a bush of roses yesterday, I thought for tonight’s #NatureDoodlewash I’d share this yellow one with you. This particular color of rose is a traditional symbol of friendship, so I’d like to say thank you to all my wonderful fellow doodlewasher friends out there who I’ve met on this amazing journey. The beauty you share with us each and every day truly makes the world a better place. And your constant inspiration is helping me on my path to be a better artist.
Roses are such interesting flowers because they, more than any other, seem to be loaded with so much meaning when you’re giving them to someone. There are entire charts to help you navigate which rose color to choose in order to send the right message. Most men just know that red means “I love you” so you’d better be super sure before handing one of those out. But white is associated with marriage and new starts, so that’s also a dicey one. Ironically, white is also associated with the end of life and used as a gesture of remembrance. Orange is all about passion and enthusiasm, and pink is still love, but of a friendlier less romantic sort.
That much symbolism is enough to make a person’s head explode to be sure, but roses are a beautiful gift so they’re worth the extra effort. Unfortunately, though I love to give flowers, I’ve always felt awkward receiving them. I’ve no idea why. Perhaps it’s their showy nature and the way that anyone in your proximity immediately begins to stare or worse, flock to your side to see who sent them. No, I much prefer giving, so tonight I’m giving this one to all of you. I hope you’re enjoying the hike and I wish you love, which is apparently of the more joyful, friendly, and peaceful sort, according to those who claim to know.
Join me throughout the month of June on a virtual nature hike! Show everyone what you love most in nature with a watercolor sketch or painting and tag your images #NatureDoodlewash so we can all enjoy it with you! I’ll create a featured artist gallery of our global hike at the end of the month!
World Watercolor Month is coming in July! Click here to learn more!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Azo Yellow, Sap Green, Cobalt Teal, Permanent Green Pale, Ultramarine Blue, Perylene Maroon, and Neutral Tint. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
Much appreciate the gesture of, joyful, peaceful, love of the friendly kind! 🙂 such a beautiful yellow rose Charlie. You really should paint flowers more often! Fantabulous and wowzers! 🙂
Awww thanks, Susan my friend! Hehe 😃💕 Glad you liked this. I don’t know why, but I just don’t love painting flowers. 😊I’ll keep forcing myself to try though and we’ll see! Hehe
Thank you sweet Charlie – and your doodlewashed yellow rose is even more beautiful than a real one. I don’t know how you do it – so easily and beautifully draw and paint everything in your amazing style. Peace and love to you wonderful friend!
Awww you just said all that to make me blush again!! Thanks! 😊hehe Thanks so much for your support and friendship, Jodi! 💕😃Thrilled I met you on this journey!!
Awww Charlie yellow roses are one of my favorites! This rose that you created is gorgeous! Very beautiful! <3 Thank you so much for such kindness and gesture in name of the beautiful friendship! Thank you! 😉
Thanks so much Carolina!! 😃💕 So thrilled to have met you, friend!
Thank you Charlie I feel the same! 😉
First of all, thank the gods it’s not a spider…hahaha! Second of all, that is a beautiful rose, Charlie! <3
Haha! The month’s not over!! (Insert evil laugh) that was easier than typing the word. Thanks so much my friend! You make me smile! 😃💕
LOL! xo
I immediately thought of the Yellow Rose of Texas song!😜
Haha! I actually almost mentioned that, Damita, since my family is now in Texas!! 😉
Ooh! Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever been given flowers before, so this is doubly wonderful – thanks ever so much, Charlie! And what a fabulous specimen it is too – beautifully executed all round. If you fancy sending any more, I’d be thrilled! 😉
Hehe…thanks Jacob!! So thrilled to have met you and thanks for the constant giggles! So fun! This may be my last one for awhile to give though…to many little critters on the nature trail. I’m such a boy. 😊
Likewise! And long may they continue! I can’t really remember what my life was like pre-doodlewash. I’m sure it wasn’t as fun…
Hehe… I’m sure it wasn’t. It was all downhill after Citrus Polos went away, so you’re lucky doodlewash came along to fill the void. 😉
Oh, for sure! And with doodlewash fever only heightening around the world, perhaps it’s not long before you’ve enough sway to demand Citrus Polos return! 😉
Hmmm..I’ll make that next year’s goal! 😉
Yesss! It’s good to know you’ve got the important stuff at the top of the agenda 😉
Awww! Charlie you are a darling…..did you know that in Mexico giving a yellow rose is the opposite of what the giver usually is trying to say….in other words, “I don’t like you, go away”. I happen to know this because of my daughter and her now husband, who was a Mexican National. It was a running joke because she loves yellow roses but he had to get over the fact that it means the opposite in Mexico. Anyway, I always seem to want to offer up stories but I can’t help it. I am hoping to contribute more to our little hike, more coming. 😉
Thanks so much, Margaret!! 😃💕I love that you add stories! They’re the heart of Doodlewash!! And love this one…that’s awesome…hehe…I can assure you I meant the good way! Lol So glad to have met you! Well at least virtually for now! 😉
yep, of course, definitely meant it in a good way. Just thought it was some interesting info….and from what I remember, it isn’t just roses but any yellow flower, I need to find out for sure, just to get my story right. 😉
Hehe…it’s super interesting! Keep use posted as you what you find out!
Thank you, Charlie for your friendship and your beautiful yellow rose. 💛🌹 I immediately put it your rose in water so I could enjoy it! 😍 Roses are not easy to draw but your doodlewash looks perfect! 💐
Thanks so much Jill!! 😃💕 My sweet friend, you’re a joy! And thanks for looking after the rose. It was a bugger to doodlewash. I really struggled. I might be sneaking back to insects soon! 😊lol
Thank you for the flower, Charlie, I love all roses – how did you know? A good day effort, if I may say so. Btw, did you get my guest post and photos? My email has been acting up lately…
Thanks so much!! Hehe…glad you like it my friend! 😃💕And yes! Sorry for the delay… just got caught up on emails and sent ya a reply! 😊
Roses have so many folds and layers Charlie, you doodlewashed this rose beautifully. Thank you for your friendship as well.
Aww thanks so much Sharon! 😃💕Glad you liked this! Flowers really aren’t my thing but it was interesting to try one! And thrilled to have met you friend!
Thank you dear friend.
You aced it Charlie! Beautiful!
Thanks so much!! Appreciate that! 😃💕
Aww thank you Charlie, you are so kind, and yellow roses are one of my favs, also purple, or is that lilac? Beautiful, and so nice to see that your rose is not loaded with aphids, clearly a well kept bug free flower 😀
It was all I could do not to add a bug!! Lol But I was determined to try at least one flower all alone on this hike! Soon I’ll be happily back to bugs! Hehe
Bug happy…..I have one more bug to do, but not until I see one, and to be honest, I really hope I don’t see it……apart from my planned oil bee.
Charlie, you picked the perfect color…. and created a wonderful doodle wash painting for all of us to enjoy. THANK YOU for the info on the rose!! I love how you write in your posts, you always have such good humor. You make us smile & laugh.
Don’t be compelled to force yourself to paint something you don’t enjoy. Life, is just way too short for that!! Paint what lights your eyes. not ours.
Thanks so much Debi! So pleased you liked this and like my posts! 😃💕 yeah, I had to challenge myself to try a flower at least, but I just don’t like sketching and painting them. When is weird because I loved to take macro photos of them! Hehe… turns out, people seem to like my bugs better and so do I! Lol So win, win!
paint what you love;
it trumps every time! I do love your insects. I loved those wacky creatures so much too!! Still think they could be ‘dolls.’
Strangely, I loathe painting buildings and painting people. yet…. get me behind the camera & I love Them!!
the manipulation of the lens provides me just the right effects.
Hehe…it’s funny what we love depending on the medium. I love drawing buildings but not flowers and people very much. Wacky creature dolls would be awesome! I want a whole set to place around my office at work! Lol
I’d love to see your dolls lined up along your office…. as you are working! clients come in… and do a double take LOL too funny. but, hey – they might like those and buy them too.
True! You never know!! Lol
Beautiful rose and a beautiful post, thanks Charlie, and thanks for all the wonderful words and images on Doodlewash, it always brightens up my day 😊
Awww thanks so much Phil! 😃💕Love knowing that! Appreciate it my friend!
Thanks Charlie! Roses always make me think of my mother and her rose garden. So a gift with a memory too. (K)
Thanks Kerfe! 😃💕awww … that’s such a beautiful memory!
Beautiful rose and I just love your commentary Charlie! The part about “or worse,flock to see who sent them” was the laugh I needed this morning, bro! You’re the best, guy. Thanks for sharing your friendship and encouragement and artistic awesomeness with us!
Aww thanks so much Laura! 😃💕I’m thrilled we became friends (and even siblings apparently!!) on this journey! Much love!
A beautiful rose, Charlie, and I really love the depth and the green shadows in it.
Thanks so much Birgit! 😃💕Glad you liked it!! So happy I met you friend!
nice post and beautiful painting as always!! 🙂
Thanks so much! Glad you liked this! 😃💕
Great rose, Charlie, roses are sosososo hard to paint! Your´s is amazing! 💛
Awww thanks!! I’m so glad you liked it! 😃💕